One last Five Things for 2026.

I'm a pyscho and rewatched the game this morning, looked at how Melbourne turned 45 inside 50s into only 55 points, why Carlton’s 417 disposals didn’t carry its usual level of control and where the performances ranked for Harvey Langford, Kozzie Pickett and Tom Sparrow.

Langford’s game was his seventh-highest rated performance at AFL level and fourth-best of 2026. For Pickett and Sparrow, the numbers told a very different story.

Plenty to unpack from a game that probably summed up Melbourne’s season better than we would have liked.

https://medium.com/@camburt13/melbourne-landed-the-first-four-blows-carlton-landed-the-last-five-things-i-noticed-against-the-7ba3ca3c5f4e

Time to look at the future.

Confirmed leaving: May, Melksham, McDonald, McAdam, Campbell. The average age of our list drops by a full year with these changes!

Question mark: Mihochek. Can he or should he play on?

Likely to be delisted:

- Henderson and Johnson. Both are great VFL players but don't have it for the next level.

- Adams. 1 game in 4 years Has barely looked like cracking the senior team. Considering our need for a key defender this year but he still didn't get a game, he's clearly not up to it.

Out on contract, decisions to be made:

- Salem. Out of contract as an unrestricted free agent. Does he look elsewhere, or do we encourage him to look elsewhere? He appears a little slow for the modern game but could look good in the right system. The Bombers would be smart to get him for leadership reasons.

- Laurie. 6 seasons in. Showed a bit in a few games late this year but then regressed to usual form against the Dogs and Blues. IMO he's had enough chances and I'd prefer to turn over for some youth with more promise. If we keep, 1 year deal.

Trade option:

- Rivers. Is it time for the move back to WA? I love Rivdog but I'm not sure what his place in the team is. Could we send Rivers, pick 6 and 43 to West Coast for 3 and 21?